The Great Lakes Early Detection Network makes reporting invasive species even easier with new smartphone app.

The Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN) in collaboration with the Early Detection Distribution and Mapping System (EDDMapS) has developed a smartphone app for the iPhone and Android operating systems. This app allows users to report invasive species found in the Midwest to GLEDN and EDDMapS from their phones or tablets.

The app uses the device’s GPS and camera capabilities to geo-locate the reported species and allow the device’s operator to provide a photo of the reported species. Pictures allow verifiers to quickly confirm observations. Once confirmed, observations will be visible on maps found on GLEDN (www.gledn.org ) and EDDMaps (www.eddmaps.org ) websites and sent to land managers through each group’s early alert system. Using this technology we hope to enhance the ability of groups’ to respond to these new pests as they are emerging.

You can download the free app from this site: http://apps.bugwood.org/mobile/gledn.html.

Join others in contributing to a growing regional database of invasive species locations. Your contributions help agency staff, scientists, and policy makers in efforts to curb the threat from invasive species and help raise public awareness.

For more information about this new technology please contact:

Brendon Panke (GLEDN Coordinator): (608) 262-9570; bjpanke@wisc.edu
Kate Howe (MIPN Coordinator): (317) 829 3812; howek@purdue.edu

Mark Renz: President of MIPN and Director of GLEDN

GLEDN is an online database that allows users to enter invasive species reports without requiring a log-in. All reports entered into GLEDN are verified by experts. The database offers more tools for those who choose to create a log-in, including new invasive location alerts, mapping, and data downloading. Visit the site at http://www.gledn.org.

Funding for the development of this app was provided by the Ohio State University and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Citizen Science Monitoring program.

Equipment Available for Citizen-based Monitoring Projects in Wisconsin

The Equipment Lending Program is designed to save you money on projects involving citizen monitors, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. You will be able to

1. Browse through the catalog of supplies and equipment.
2. Select the items needed for your project.
3. Request those items for the upcoming field season.

Items will be available for pickup in the spring and must be returned at the end of the approved lending period. You can also donate unused equipment to the program. For more information contact

Matthew Schumaker:
Matthew.Schumaker@Wisconsin.gov
(608) 267-2109

Owen Boyle:
Owen.Boyle@Wisconsin.gov
(608) 261-6449

CBM Lend Brochure

Training Webcast: New Schedule April 2

Apologies for the technical issues that prevented us from holding the Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN) Mapping Webcast on Tuesday as planned. We learned that the server at Purdue that runs Adobe Connect was down for about an hour, right at the time our webcast was scheduled. We should not have this same problem again, unless we have extraordinarily bad luck twice. Here’s to better luck next time.

We have rescheduled the webcast for April 2 at 11:00 Eastern/10:00 Central. The webcast will be recorded and posted on the MIPN website for those who are not able to listen in. I encourage you to attend the webcast if possible, though, because you will have the opportunity to ask questions about how to use GLEDN.

The meeting URL is below. Please contact Kate Howe if you have any questions.

Meeting Name: GLEDN Mapping Webcast
Summary: Mark Renz from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will provide an overview of how to use the Great Lakes Early Detection Network with special focus on using the Maps feature to view reports for your species or area of interest.
Invited By: Katherine M Howe (howek@purdue.edu)
When: 04/02/2013 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Time Zone: (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada)

To join the meeting:
https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/glednmaps/

GLEDN training webcast Tuesday March 12

The Midwest Invasive Plant Network is hosting a free webcast to provide an overview on how to use the Great Lakes Early Detection Network, with special focus on using the Maps feature to view distribution maps for your species or area of interest. The webcast will be held March 12 from 12:00-1:00 Eastern/11:00-12:00 Central. Connection information is below.

Please join me in an Adobe Connect Meeting.

Meeting Name: GLEDN Mapping Webcast
Summary: Mark Renz from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will provide an overview of how to use the Great Lakes Early Detection Network with special focus on using the Maps feature to view reports for your species or area of interest.
Invited By: Katherine M Howe (howek@purdue.edu)
When: 03/12/2013 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Time Zone: (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada)

To join the meeting:
https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/glednmaps/

Recording of Verification Training Available

On February 19th the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) hosted an online training for those interested in becoming part of the GLEDN verifier network. In case you missed the training or need to partake in the spectacle again, here is a link to a recording of the presentation:

https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p39onf5gu02/

Receive your knowledge on the dulcet tones of Kate’s and my voices.

Keep an eye out for another GLEDN training coming the second week of March. This presentation will cover how to use various GLEDN features with a special emphasis on mapping.

Weed and Other Invasive Species Mapping and Data Sharing Web Seminar

One of GLEDN’s Partner Data Providers, EDDMapS, is offering a seminar over the web on the use of their mapping and data management system. Check out the details below.

Learn about weed and other invasive species mapping and data sharing at a webinar.  Weeds and scary, giant snakes will be examples of invasive species mapping.  EDDMapS has been featured in Science magazine, received numerous awards, and received over a billion hits.  Both the MN Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources use EDDMapS for invasive plant data.

Subject: Noxious and Invasive Species Maps and Apps by the Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System EDDMapS

Presented by:  Chuck Bargeron, Technology Director for the Center for Invasive Species & Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia

Hosted by: Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources

When: Thursday, March 22^nd, 9:50-11:00 am Central Time

Format: Webinar – the presentation will be on the web.  You will register in advance then login at 9:50 which is 10 minutes before the presentation starts.  You will watch the presentation on your computer.  Audio will be streamed through the web so you will need speakers or headphones plugged into the computer to hear the audio.

Register:
1.  Go to this address.
2.  Click “Register”.  Registration password is eddmaps.
3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click “Submit”.
4. You will receive an email about registration.  If your registration is in the first 160, you will receive a confirmation message with instructions on how to join the event.

It will be fun and informative.

Monika Chandler
Biological control and terrestrial invasive plant early detection
Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 625 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN  55155
651-201-6537 (office), 612-327-3857 (cell), Monika.Chandler@state.mn.us
Biological control webpage, Invasive plant early detection webpage